Four congregations - Highland Korean Presbyterian Church, Christ
Lutheran Church, Congregation Or Shalom and St. Mary of Vernon -
have been in the community for nearly 25 years or more.

While they're competing in the same area for followers, all the
groups say there's enough space for other religious groups to join
them.

St. Mary of Vernon Catholic parish, 236 Route 45, Indian Creek,
is the largest church in the area with a congregation of more than
2,000 families. The parish was founded in 1978 and is part of the
Archdiocese of Chicago.

While the majority of the parishioners are from Vernon Hills, the
church also draws members from the southern end of Mundelein, parts
of Buffalo Grove, all of Prairie View and Hawthorn Woods.

"We have a very large religious education program with more than
1,100 students in kindergarten-through-eight classes," Business
Manager Susan Gray said.

The parish also has a successful youth ministry targeted at high
school students, an extensive social service outreach program
through clothing and food pantries and a furniture redistribution
ministry.

"There's a lot of poverty in our community," Gray said. "We have
a huge client base between Vernon Hills and the Mundelein area."

About 60 families utilize the church's food pantry each month.
The church also doubles as a Public Action to Deliver Shelter, or
PADS, site, housing more than 60 people every week.

Both Christ Lutheran Church and Congregation Or Shalom have a
significantly smaller congregations of 300 families.